Waltham councilors recognize 'hero' who burst into burning home

Tuesday

Apr 29, 2014 at 12:53 PMApr 29, 2014 at 12:53 PM

By Eli Shermanesherman@wickedlocal.com

An unsung hero from the early April fatal Crescent Street fire became known publicly Monday night.Greg LeBlanc, owner of Waltham Auto Tow, was driving back from an assignment at about 3 a.m. April 4, when he drove by 240 Crescent St. and saw smoke and flames spilling out of a third-floor window. LeBlanc knew the building was a lodging house and called the Fire Department to report the fire, then took action."Seeing flames coming out of the building, he ran to the house and started banging on the door," Councilor-at-large Thomas Stanley said Monday night during a special recognition ceremony dedicated to LeBlanc.When no one answered the front door, LeBlanc kicked it down. The building contained 12 single-room apartments with shared bathrooms on three floors. LeBlanc went door-to-door waking residents up. He kicked in the doors of those not answering.Ron Melanson of Waltham, however, did not make it out and died in the blaze. The fire started in Melansonís room and was caused by the "improper disposal of smoking materials," according to State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan and Waltham Fire Chief Paul Ciccone.LeBlanc, who didnít know there was anyone in the room, didnít kick in Melansonís door because he knew the fire was going on inside. Firefighters showed up shortly after and when they knocked down the door, LeBlanc saw the outside window explode.A handful of residents who were saved by LeBlanc came to Mondayís meeting and shook his hand with thanks following the ceremony. Councilor-at-large Paul Brasco, a longtime friend of LeBlanc, said Monday that LeBlancís actions were only a small testament to his character."Iím proud to call Greg a hero, but more proud to call him my friend," Brasco said.Brasco added that LeBlanc wasnít one for "fanfare or recognition," which he proved when he turned down multiple requests for interviews immediately following the blaze. LeBlanc said after the ceremony that he didnít want any of the attention, especially because a man died and he wanted to be conscious of the victimís family."I did what I did and I hope anyone else in the same situation would have done the same," LeBlanc said.